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Jazz Age Mystery #1
The Weeping Woman
In 1925, art dealer and amateur sleuth Bedford Green and his assistant, Sloane, follow a dangerous and deadly trail as they search for a missing girl, aided by Ernest Hemingway and Zelda Fitzgerald, in the first in a series of new Jazz Age mysteries. Original.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 27, 2015
It is good to see a reissue of this first, Jazz Age mystery, featuring Bedford Green. It is 1925 and Bedford Green is enjoying running a small art gallery in New York, after leaving his job as a celebrity columnist for a tabloid newspaper. Despite some niggling financial concerns, life is good and so he is shocked to come to work one day and find his beautifully young assistant, Sloane Smith, in tears. Having never heard her cry before, he is eager to do anything he can to help.
Sloane informs him that her friend, artist Polly Swanscott, has sent her a worrying postcard from New York – however, she is obviously holding something back about why she feels something bad has befallen her. Still, Bedford agrees to help and goes to see Polly’s family who, like Sloane’s, are extremely wealthy. Bedford had planned to sail on the Aquitania to Paris to search out paintings and make some much needed money and Sloane asks to come along.
This is a wonderful, period mystery, set firmly in the New York and Paris of the twenties and featuring cameo appearances by real life characters, from Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Dorothy Parker and Gertrude Stein, among others. In many ways, the search through café culture Paris is as enjoyable as the mystery itself. I also liked the character of Bedford Green and of his cool and mysterious assistant, Sloane.
At times, the storyline got a little confusing and I felt that too many characters were added. However, that did not bother me too much and I would certainly like to read the other mysteries featuring Bedford and Sloane. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
Sloane informs him that her friend, artist Polly Swanscott, has sent her a worrying postcard from New York – however, she is obviously holding something back about why she feels something bad has befallen her. Still, Bedford agrees to help and goes to see Polly’s family who, like Sloane’s, are extremely wealthy. Bedford had planned to sail on the Aquitania to Paris to search out paintings and make some much needed money and Sloane asks to come along.
This is a wonderful, period mystery, set firmly in the New York and Paris of the twenties and featuring cameo appearances by real life characters, from Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Dorothy Parker and Gertrude Stein, among others. In many ways, the search through café culture Paris is as enjoyable as the mystery itself. I also liked the character of Bedford Green and of his cool and mysterious assistant, Sloane.
At times, the storyline got a little confusing and I felt that too many characters were added. However, that did not bother me too much and I would certainly like to read the other mysteries featuring Bedford and Sloane. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
November 10, 2013
When Sloane Smith's socialite, amateur artist and rich girl friend Polly Swanscott sends her a disturbing self photo on a postal card from France she doesn't take this lightly. When Polly seems to disappear without a trace, Sloane involves her friend and boss ex investigative newspaper journalist turned art dealer Bedford Green to help track her down before it's too late. This is a race against time, traveling from one side of the globe to the other mystery/adventure during the 1920's and featuring some well known personalities including: Ernest Hemingway, F.Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald and Picasso just to name a few. This world wind journey is a non stop search for the answers to the mystery behind the picture of Polly Swanscott.
I liked this book. I'm giving it a 3 1/2 stars. This was a different type of mystery written as if it was in the style of the old black and white movies. I was drawn in because with every chapter or scene break I could just imagine this black and white film from the clothing, the cars, I swear I could even hear the cracking of the film and ragtime music. This book just had that type of feel to it. I found it interesting that the author put various real life celebrities of the period into the book. It seems as if these characters themselves must have been a subject of great research as they seemed very true to the characteristics for which they are known: writing, painting, gambling, entertaining and all their well known little idiosyncrasies. I think the author did a good job at keeping the story flowing and keeping the reader guessing.
Why was this not 5 star book for me? Although I found it creative to bring these 1920's famous people into the story and plug them in, at times for me there was such an influx of new characters it was slightly overwhelming. So many new artists, writers or people of influence were confusing to keep up with and since some were hollow, meaning they were just present in name, I felt it pointless for them to be present and detracted from the story line. My same thoughts in regards to the plot. There were so many twists and turns and near misses, I assume for excitement but really I became a little weary of it all and started wondering was the end in sight. I thought, "When will it end already? Let's wrap this up." When it finally did end, the solving of the mystery left me feeling, "What? Wait? That was why? All that for that?" But, I must reprimand myself. I'm thinking like a 2013 reader, backtracking to the old Hollywood movie set, it all makes sense. And scene.
Do I recommend this? Yeah, it's a pretty good, quick read. I recommend to those who might like a light mystery. I recommend to those who like old black and white movies. I did have a few wry laughs, so I did have fun. I will check out other books by this author. I really did like the character Bedford Green, he's an upstanding guy. Hopefully when we meet him in the two subsequent books his character will develop more.
I liked this book. I'm giving it a 3 1/2 stars. This was a different type of mystery written as if it was in the style of the old black and white movies. I was drawn in because with every chapter or scene break I could just imagine this black and white film from the clothing, the cars, I swear I could even hear the cracking of the film and ragtime music. This book just had that type of feel to it. I found it interesting that the author put various real life celebrities of the period into the book. It seems as if these characters themselves must have been a subject of great research as they seemed very true to the characteristics for which they are known: writing, painting, gambling, entertaining and all their well known little idiosyncrasies. I think the author did a good job at keeping the story flowing and keeping the reader guessing.
Why was this not 5 star book for me? Although I found it creative to bring these 1920's famous people into the story and plug them in, at times for me there was such an influx of new characters it was slightly overwhelming. So many new artists, writers or people of influence were confusing to keep up with and since some were hollow, meaning they were just present in name, I felt it pointless for them to be present and detracted from the story line. My same thoughts in regards to the plot. There were so many twists and turns and near misses, I assume for excitement but really I became a little weary of it all and started wondering was the end in sight. I thought, "When will it end already? Let's wrap this up." When it finally did end, the solving of the mystery left me feeling, "What? Wait? That was why? All that for that?" But, I must reprimand myself. I'm thinking like a 2013 reader, backtracking to the old Hollywood movie set, it all makes sense. And scene.
Do I recommend this? Yeah, it's a pretty good, quick read. I recommend to those who might like a light mystery. I recommend to those who like old black and white movies. I did have a few wry laughs, so I did have fun. I will check out other books by this author. I really did like the character Bedford Green, he's an upstanding guy. Hopefully when we meet him in the two subsequent books his character will develop more.
February 5, 2021
The Jazz Age — the roaring twenties. Man-about-town, Bedford Green, arrives at his art gallery to find his assistant, Sloan, in tears. When asked what is wrong, she hands him a postcard and tells him she wants to go to Paris.
Sloan is not a weepy, emotional woman. She is independent, sensible, smart, logical and has excellent control of her emotions. Something serious has caused Sloan’s current behaviour. That something is the postcard she’s received from a close friend. The image is a bizarre likeness of the lady with an unusual message: “Doulour. Le denier cri.” Is it a cry for help?
Bedford winds up going to Paris to find Sloan’s friend and to find out what is going on. The trail he follows leads to meeting up with Picasso, Hemingway and his wife, the Fitzgeralds and others of that era, as he searches for the missing lady.
It is a fun read, set in an interesting era. The first of a series.
Sloan is not a weepy, emotional woman. She is independent, sensible, smart, logical and has excellent control of her emotions. Something serious has caused Sloan’s current behaviour. That something is the postcard she’s received from a close friend. The image is a bizarre likeness of the lady with an unusual message: “Doulour. Le denier cri.” Is it a cry for help?
Bedford winds up going to Paris to find Sloan’s friend and to find out what is going on. The trail he follows leads to meeting up with Picasso, Hemingway and his wife, the Fitzgeralds and others of that era, as he searches for the missing lady.
It is a fun read, set in an interesting era. The first of a series.
September 5, 2019
Too many famous names, and a thin pretext for a mystery. Polly's actions make little sense. Sloane's make even less sense. It feels just like an excuse for parading through lots of settings with famous people of the 20s.
The writing at the beginning is frankly terrible, but it strengthens as the book goes on. It becomes quite readable with a decent sense of place and time.
The writing at the beginning is frankly terrible, but it strengthens as the book goes on. It becomes quite readable with a decent sense of place and time.
July 14, 2021
Good ending!
September 10, 2015
Cozy mysteries are not a frequent read for me. However, I am so glad I read The Weeping Woman. Set in the 1920's there are characters that are showy, unique, down-to-earth, interesting and sinister. The leading character, Bedford Green, is a charming lady's man, a gambler, a drinker and owns a struggling art gallery. The plot had me turning pages as fast as I could read them and I never guessed who was the culprit. I didn't even have a guess.
Bedford Green needs to go to France on an art buying trip. His assistant, Sloane, receives a post card from a friend who is in France. The picture on the card shows a sad, lonely tearful woman and is signed "Fou" (crazy). The picture is her college friend Polly. She asks Bedford to help her find Polly in France because her intuition tells her something is very, very wrong.
All Polly ever wanted to be was an artist, so they plunge into the art scene in Paris. The trail to find out where Polly is is a long one and takes them all over the countryside. It is also filled with danger and Bedford finds himself on the losing end of a couple of battles.
The story line is a good one with all kinds of leads and possibilities. I highly recommend this book to any mystery fans. This is the first in the Bedford Green mystery series. Michael Kilian also wrote the Dick Tracy comic strip beginning in 1993.
I received this ebook free from the publisher for review purposes.
Bedford Green needs to go to France on an art buying trip. His assistant, Sloane, receives a post card from a friend who is in France. The picture on the card shows a sad, lonely tearful woman and is signed "Fou" (crazy). The picture is her college friend Polly. She asks Bedford to help her find Polly in France because her intuition tells her something is very, very wrong.
All Polly ever wanted to be was an artist, so they plunge into the art scene in Paris. The trail to find out where Polly is is a long one and takes them all over the countryside. It is also filled with danger and Bedford finds himself on the losing end of a couple of battles.
The story line is a good one with all kinds of leads and possibilities. I highly recommend this book to any mystery fans. This is the first in the Bedford Green mystery series. Michael Kilian also wrote the Dick Tracy comic strip beginning in 1993.
I received this ebook free from the publisher for review purposes.
August 30, 2015
I liked this book immensely for what it was: a fast-paced period mystery with colorful historic characters and the glamorous locale of the French Riviera.
The language is simple, bordering on basic, but the protagonists are interesting and the cameos by Gerald and Sara Murphy, the Hemingways, Picasso, Man Ray and Dorothy Parker add to the book's glamour and high readability quotient.
I don't think the heirs of Pablo Picasso will enjoy his characterization as a brutish (bordering on violent) womanizer, but I enjoyed the sketchy appearances of the many American artists and writers that populated France in the 1920's. They added life to the book and I will definitely look for another book is this series by Kilian when I want a purely escapist, summer read.
Netgalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The language is simple, bordering on basic, but the protagonists are interesting and the cameos by Gerald and Sara Murphy, the Hemingways, Picasso, Man Ray and Dorothy Parker add to the book's glamour and high readability quotient.
I don't think the heirs of Pablo Picasso will enjoy his characterization as a brutish (bordering on violent) womanizer, but I enjoyed the sketchy appearances of the many American artists and writers that populated France in the 1920's. They added life to the book and I will definitely look for another book is this series by Kilian when I want a purely escapist, summer read.
Netgalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2015
Former newspaper columnist turned art dealer Bedford Green travels from jazz age New York City to Paris to the French Riviera and back again in search of his art gallery partner Sloane Smith's missing aspiring artist friend. Along the way he mingles with some of the most famous artists and writers of the time, who are portrayed thoughtfully and with attention to detail,
The core mystery is expertly written, and the descriptions of people and places involved perfectly compliment the story. Having such a large number of well known people in the story could be risky, but Kilian skillfully avoids saccharine idolization.
A thoroughly enjoyable read. Nice to meet you, Bedford Green. Looking forward to hearing much more from and about you.
**eARC netgalley**
The core mystery is expertly written, and the descriptions of people and places involved perfectly compliment the story. Having such a large number of well known people in the story could be risky, but Kilian skillfully avoids saccharine idolization.
A thoroughly enjoyable read. Nice to meet you, Bedford Green. Looking forward to hearing much more from and about you.
**eARC netgalley**
January 14, 2016
A mystery that perhaps sounds better in one's imagination than in the execution. The writing is a bit too simple and the characterizations broad and at times unbelievable (although these faults could be remedied in later books in the series). Falls into the unfortunate trap of having the protagonists meet like, everyone famous ever during the 1920s, which always annoys me about historical fiction. Would I revisit Bedford Green? Maybe on a plane.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 12, 2024
2 1/2 stars. I really enjoyed the time period, setting and people. The mystery was average.
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April 16, 2021Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews